Letter: Meals Tax Math Adds up as Positive for Braintree

There is currently another proposal before the Braintree Town Council to activate the local option meals tax. It was recently sent to the Committee on Ways & Means for study. More information: http://braintree.patch.com/articles/another-meals-tax-battle-brewing-for-braintree-councilor

Dear Editor,

Reflecting upon the decision the Town Council has to make regarding a minimal increase to the meals tax in Braintree, I would strongly urge you, my neighbors, to support such a revenue source. I think it’s fair to say that a .75% - less than 1%! - increase on top of a dining bill is not going to deter any person from eating out in Braintree.

Let me illustrate what this tax means to underscore how truly minimal this is:

• Total meal at a Braintree Restaurant: $50.00
• Massachusetts State Meals Tax (already in place): 6.25%; adds $3.13 for a total bill of $53.13
• Proposed Braintree Meals Tax: .75%; adds $.40 (40 cents) for a total bill of $53.52

We are all in this together. This is an example where a very small adjustment will yield huge dividends. It’s an easy win! Braintree has so many wonderful resources: our schools, our library, our parks and playgrounds, our police and fire departments, but none of these things can exist without community support. Please consider contacting your town councilor to urge him to say yes to a municipal meals tax and yes to Braintree’s future!

Sincerely,
Meredith Boericke